Donte's mother died from brain cancer before the boy's first birthday, Hightower said.

The family finds comfort in their church.

"That's the only thing that keeps me going," said Hightower. "Church and hearing the word from the Lord. That's what gets us through it."

This year, the family will count on the help of the Houston Chronicle's Goodfellows program, which provides toys for children whose families need help because of unemployment, illness or other family circumstances.

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The gift assistance "is a major relief," said Ware, who lost his job at Kroger in September.

"When you are just going at it full force, looking for employment and nothing is coming through, it is very stressful," said Hightower. "We're just trying to make it, just trying to pay the bills with the little money we did have."

Hightower said her other family members are pitching in. "But none of them have really good jobs where they can afford to help me, you know. So they do what they can."

Despite all of their difficulties, Hightower and Ware have faith that things will improve in 2014.

"The hope is that we find employment and things start falling back into place," she said. "Once we get some employment and get our bills caught up, it will be much smoother."

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How to donate

To contribute and learn more about the Goodfellows toy drive, please visit chron.com/goodfellows or call 713-362-2273. Checks can be sent to Goodfellows, c/o Houston Chronicle, 801 Texas Ave., Houston, TX 77002.

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